What Are the Benefits of Drinking Water for Body Gas?

by
JOSEPH MCALLISTER Oct. 03, 2017

Joseph McAllister

Joseph McAllister has worked as a writer since 2003. He has more than seven years of experience in training and coaching martial arts. McAllister writes for various websites on a variety of topics including martial arts, competition and fitness. He graduated from Liberty University on a full ride National Merit Scholarship with a Bachelor of Science in print journalism.

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Body gas is a natural occurrence, and many of the healthy foods you need in your diet can contribute to increased gas. Drinking water may help your digestion, reducing the amount of gas you produce. However, the only certain way of reducing gas is to cut back on gas-causing foods.

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Gas

Gas in your digestive tract is a natural part of life, and it affects everyone. According to the National Institutes of Health, it is primarily caused by two sources: swallowed air and friendly bacteria digesting certain foods in your large intestine. Your body gets rid of gas through belching or flatulence, but until you pass it, it can cause some stomach bloating and pain. Foods that contain carbohydrates can make your gas worse, particularly starches, soluble fiber and sugars.

Gas and Water

Drinking water may have some effect on your body’s gas production. Soft drinks that contain carbonation contribute to increased body gas. Substituting water for soda can help reduce the amount of air you swallow, in turn reducing your body gas. In addition, drinking water during or after a meal can aid your digestion by helping break down more food in your stomach, which may help reduce the gas produced in your large intestine.

Relieving Gas

The best way of reducing body gas is to eat fewer of the foods that typically cause gas. This can vary from person to person, as people’s digestive systems are sensitive to different foods. A lactose sensitivity can lead to gas when consuming dairy food, so you may need to reduce your intake of milk and milk products. Beans and other starchy and fibrous foods, like whole grains, also contribute to gas. Finally, you may need to cut down on certain fruits, like pears, apples and peaches.

Other Benefits of Water

While water has some effect on gas, it is also important to get enough water for other health reasons. Your body is about 60 percent water, and you need it for many life functions. Water helps cleanse toxins from your organs, carries nutrients throughout your body, and keeps your tissues moist. If you do not get enough water, you can suffer from dehydration. Dehydration affects all of your body’s systems, and even mild dehydration could lead to fatigue and headaches.

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